Location services interworking with intelligent network

ABSTRACT

The invention provides location information indicating the geographical location of a mobile station via a core net-work node serving the mobile station The method includes the steps of initiating a communication between the mobile station and the network by calculating the geographical location, supplying corresponding location information indicating the geographical location to the core network node, and subsequently routing the communication between the mobile station and the network.

[0001] The present invention relates to the location services in atelecommunications network. In particular, but not exclusively, theinvention relates to intelligent networks (IN)'s in which the IN serviceis able to control call setup based on the location of a mobile station(MS). The invention may also provide methods to supply IN service withlocation of a mobile station with minimum delay for call establishment(or setup) procedure.

[0002] An intelligent network (IN) is a telecommunications networkarchitecture which can relocate services and databases via switches toone or more control/decision nodes to thereby provide intelligentcontrol of a call or other event. The GSM network for example, offersIN-based services. These services can be “forwarded” at any stage when asubscriber having access to a mobile network is abroad in a foreigncountry with which the home operator has a reciprocal roaming agreement.

[0003] Customized applications for mobile network enhanced logic “CAMEL”is the GSM and UMTS arrangement which makes operator-specific servicesavailable to subscribers who are outside their own network.

[0004] A basic idea behind the architecture of INs is to make theservice logic independent of switching and transport in the network. Thenetwork functions which provide these attributes and which form the INarchitecture are service switching and service control. Serviceswitching is found in a service switching point (SSP), which is a nodewith functions to detect calls to the IN service, and the servicecontrol point (SCP) which is a generally centrally located node andwhich contains the logic and data for the IN services.

[0005] The location services (LCS) feature in GSM and UMTS provides themechanism to support mobile location services of operators which are notcovered by standardised GSM or UMTS services. LCS utilizes one or morepositioning mechanisms in order to determine the location of an MS.Positioning of a target MS involves two principle steps. These aresignal measurements and location estimation in which the location iscalculated based upon the measured signals.

[0006] A number of location estimating mechanisms are known for use withLCS. These are the time of arrival (TOA), enhanced observed timedifference (E-OTD), observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA), andglobal positioning system (GPS) positioning mechanism. Through use ofone of these the LCS provides means to locate a mobile station. Thepublic land mobile network (PLMN) will thus provide a locationapplication with the geographical location of the MS. The locationapplication which uses this information may reside within the PLMN (ineither the MS or in the network itself) or outside the PLMN (in anexternal application).

[0007] Positioning may be initiated either by the network or an externalapplication. The role of the core network nodes in relation to the LCSis to convey positioning requests towards the serving mobile locationcentre (SMLC) and location information towards the requesting gatewaymobile location centre (GMLC). Furthermore, the core network nodes mayidentify events such as emergency call setups which will requireinitiation of positioning of a mobile station.

[0008] In the past the procedure by which position information of the MShas been provided to the IN has been reactive. That is to say when acall to/from a MS has been requested, the location of the MS has thenbeen calculated, if it was needed for a value added service (e.g. anIN/CAMEL service) This has the problem of delaying the callestablishment until after the location has been established.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to at least partlymitigate the above-referenced problems.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for providing a location application of acommunication network with location information indicating thegeographical location of a mobile station (MS), via a core network nodeserving the MS, said method comprising the steps of;

[0011] initiating a communication between the MS and the network by thesteps of;

[0012] calculating the geographical location;

[0013] supplying corresponding location information indicating thegeographical location to the core network node; and

[0014] subsequently routing the call between the MS and the network.

[0015] This has the advantage that the location of the MS is establishedearly in a call cycle so that the core network node has the location atthe beginning of a call setup procedure.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention provide that the MSindependently calculates its location which is sent in the SETUP messageto the core network. The core network thus has the location informationwithout additional requests being required.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for providing a location application of acommunication network with location information indicating thegeographical location of a mobile station (MS), via a core network nodeserving the MS, said method comprising the steps of initiating acommunication between the MS and the network, calculating thegeographical location, supplying corresponding location informationindicating the geographical location to the core network node, andproviding the said geographical location from the core network node to aservice control means in association with at least one communicationcontrol related event.

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention provide that when the MSmakes a request for radio connection setup the RAN initiates positioncalculation of the MS and provides this location to the core network atthe beginning of a call or other similar event. In this way, the corenetwork has the location information without additional requests.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will now be describedhereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which;

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a generic LCS logical architecture.

[0021]FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional location procedure.

[0022]FIG. 3 illustrates a locating procedure.

[0023]FIG. 4 illustrates a further locating procedure.

[0024]FIG. 5 illustrates a still further locating procedure.

[0025] In the drawings like reference numerals refer to like parts.

[0026] Location services (LCS) is logically implemented on the GSM/UMTSstructure through the addition of one network node, the mobile locationcentre (MLC). A generic LCS logical architecture is shown in FIG. 1.

[0027] A mobile station (MS) 100 can be a mobile telephone or a laptopcomputer which has a radio modem or a fax adapted for radio access. Theterm MS is used here also to cover UMTS User Equipment (UE). Thiscommunicates with the base transceiver station (BTS) 101 over the radiointerface (U_(m) interface). The term BTS is used here also to coverUMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) corresponding networkelement Node B. The BTS is equipped for transmission and reception ofsignals and additionally has ciphering equipment. The BTS in termcommunicates with a base station controller (BSC) 102 via link 103 (Abisin GSM, Iub in UMTS). The term BSC is used here also to cover UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) corresponding network elementRadio Network Controller (RNC). The BSC sets up the radio channels forsignaling and traffic to the Core Network (CN) node 104 via link 105.This forms part of the Core Network 125.

[0028] The CN node can be either mobile switching centre (MSC) orServing GPRS Support Node (SGSN) depending on switching domain, circuitswitched or packet switched. The CN node 104 is essentially a switchingnode having many functions. In particular, the CN node performsconnection management, mobility management and authenticationactivities. In this document CN node is also supposed to contain callcontrol function, and service switching function defined by IN/CAMELarchitecture. However, in packet switched domain these before mentionedCN node functions may be split to separate network elements. Each CNnode can control a number of BSCs which are referred to as being in anCN node service area. In general BTSs and BSCs together form the RadioAccess Network (RAN)126, which is referred as Base Station Sub-system(BSS) in GSM and UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) in UMTS.

[0029] The CN node 104 is connected to the gateway mobile locationcentre (GMLC) 106 via the L_(g) interface 107 which containsfunctionality required to support LCS. In one PLMN there may be morethan one GMLC. The GMLC is the first node an external LCS clientaccesses in a GSM PLMN.

[0030] An LCS client 109 is a logical functional entity that requests,from the LCS server function in the PLMN, location information for oneor more target MS within a specified set of parameters such as qualityof service (Q_(o)S). The LCS client may reside in an entity (includingthe MS), within the PLMN or in an entity external to the PLMN. Anexternal LCS client 109 communicates with the GMLC 106 via the L_(e)interface.

[0031] In response to a location request from an LCS client, the GMLCmay request routing information from the home location register (HLR)111 of the system via the L_(h) interface 112. The HLR is a databasewhich allows a mobile subscriber to be permanently registered in thesystem. The HLR keeps track continuously of the location of a subscriberor MS in the level of serving CN node, i.e. Visitor Location Register(VLR) or SGSN. In addition to the HLR, each CN node 104 is associatedwith a database containing details of subscribers temporarily in theservice area of that CN node. In circuit switched domain this databaseis called Visitor Location Register (VLR), and in packet switched domainthe database is contained in SGSN.

[0032] After performing registration authorization the GMLC 106 sendspositioning requests to and receives final location estimates from, theCN node that is having the service area in which the MS is currentlylocated (or visiting).

[0033] The serving mobile location centre (SMLC) 113 containsfunctionality required to support LCS. In one PLMN there may be morethan one than SMLC 113. The SMLC 113 manages the overall coordinationand scheduling of resources required to perform positioning of a mobile.It also calculates the final location estimate and accuracy.

[0034] Two types of SMLC are possible. These are the Core Network (CN)based SMLC, which supports the L_(s) interface 116 which is theinterface between the serving MLC and CN node, and the Radio AccessNetwork (RAN) based SMLC which supports the L_(b) interface 117 betweenthe SMLC 113 and the BSC 102. An CN based SMLC supports positioning of atarget MS via signaling on the L_(s) interface to the visited CN node. ARAN based SMLC supports positioning via signaling on the L_(b)interface. In UMTS, SMLC functionality is contained in BSC 102, i.e.Radio Network Controller (RNC).

[0035] The SMLC controls a number of location measurement units (LMU)'sfor the purpose of obtaining radio interface measurements to locate orhelp locate MS subscribers in the area that it serves.

[0036] In order to provide location information about the MS 100, the MSmay be involved in various positioning procedures. It may also calculateits own location estimate and accuracy with means of MS basedpositioning methods like MS based E-OTD or GPS.

Time of Arrival (TOA) Positioning Mechanism

[0037] The uplink TOA positioning method is based on measuring the timeof arrival of a known signal sent from the mobile and received at threeor more measurement units. The known signal is the access burstsgenerated by having the mobile perform an asynchronous handover. Themethod requires additional measurement unit (LMU) hardware in thenetwork at the geographical vicinity of the mobile to be positioned toaccurately measure the TOA of the bursts. Since the geographicalcoordinates of the measurement units are known, the mobile position canbe calculated via hyperbolic triangulation.

Enhanced-Observed Time Different (E-OTD) Positioning Mechanism

[0038] In GSM radio access the E-OTD method is based on measurements inthe MS of the enhanced observed time difference of arrival of bursts ofnearby pairs of BTS's. For E-OTD measurement synchronization, normal anddummy bursts are used. When the transmission frames of BTS's are notsynchronized, the network needs to measure the relative or absolute timedifferences (RTD's or ATD's) between them. To obtain accuratetriangulation, E-OTD measurements and, for non-synchronized BTS's, RTDor ATD measurements are needed for at least three distinct pairs ofgeographically dispersed BTS's. Based on the measured E-OTD values, thelocation of MS can be calculated either in the network or in the MSitself, if all the needed information is available in the MS. In UMTSradio access (Wideband CDMA), principally similar positioning method iscalled Observed Time Difference of Arrival—Idle Period DownLink(OTDoA-IPDL).

Global Positioning System (GPS) Positioning Mechanism

[0039] The global positioning system (GPS) method refers to any ofseveral variants that make use of GPS signals or additional signalsderived from GPS signals in order to calculate MS positions. Thesevariants give rise to a range of optional information flows between theMS and the network. One dimension of variation is where positioncalculation is performed. Another dimension is whether “assistance data”is required irrespective of where position calculation is performed.Examples of assistance data include differential GPS data; lists ofsatellites in view based on approximate MS positions etc. A thirddimension of variation is closely related to the proceeding, namely, theorigin and distribution of any assistance data. For example, even whileassistance data may be required of a GPS method it may be optional thatthe assistance data originates from and is distributed within and by thePLMN.

[0040] The location measurement units (LMU) make radio measurements tosupport one or more of these positioning measurements.

[0041] Two types of LMU are defined. Type A LMU 118 which is accessedover the air interface (U_(m)) and type B LMU 119 which is accessed overthe interface 120 to the BSC 102.

[0042] A type A LMU is accessed exclusively over the GSM air interface(U_(m)) interface. There is no wired connection to any other networkelement. A type A LMU has a serving BTS and BSC that provide signalingaccess to a controlling SMLC. With an CN based SMLC a type A LMU alsohas a serving CN node.

[0043] A type B LMU is accessed over the interface 120 from a BSC. TheLMU may be either a stand alone network element addressed using somepseudo-cell ID or connected to, or integrated in, a BTS. Signaling to atype B LMU is by means of messages routed through the controlling BSCfor a BSS based SMLC or messages routed through a controlling BSC and CNno for an CN based SMLC.

[0044] For Location Services, with a Cell Broadcast Center (CBC)associated with a BSC, the SMLC may interface to a CBC in order tobroadcast assistance data utilising existing cell broadcastcapabilities. The SMLC shall behave as a user, Cell Broadcast Entity, tothe CBC.

[0045]FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional procedure allowing a MS torequest either its own location, location assistance data or broadcastassistance data message ciphering keys from the network. Locationassistance data may be used subsequently by the MS to compute its ownlocation throughout an extended interval. The ciphering key enables theMS to decipher other location assistance data broadcast periodically byother networks.

[0046] With this system the LCS provides the means to locate a mobilestation. The PLMN will provide a location application with thegeographical location of the MS. The location application utilizing thisinformation may reside within the PLMN or outside the PLMN. Positioningitself may be initiated either by the network or an externalapplication. The role of the CN regarding LCS is to convey positioningrequests towards the SMLC and location information towards the GMLC.Furthermore, a CN node may identify events (e.g. emergency call set ups)which will initiate positioning of a MS.

[0047] Service Control Point (SCP) 121 in FIG. 1 is a network node whichis part of IN architecture. It is able to control events, like callsetup and SMS, over the CAP/INAP interface 122.

[0048] In the past, once a request for the position of a MS has beenmade, for example, when a call is being made, the location is calculatedand subsequently provided via the CN node to the value added serviceplatform/environment (e.g. IN/CAMEL). This has the disadvantage thatthere is a time delay between when the call is requested and when thelocation can be provided to enable the call to be made. Throughout thespecification the word “call” is referred to. The skilled man willunderstand that this term is synonymous with any form of communicationwhich might occur between the MS and network.

[0049]FIG. 3 illustrates a first embodiment of the present inventionwhich obviates this disadvantage by having the MS independentlycalculate its location, based upon information the network sends to theMS, and sends this information to the CN node during a SETUP message. Inthis way the location of the MS is available for the IN/CAMEL call statemodel in the beginning of the call setup procedure in the CN node. Thishas the benefit that there is no extra delay because the CN node alreadyhas the location information associated with the MS without having tomake additional requests.

[0050]FIG. 3 shows the signaling which occurs between the MS 100, RAN125, CN node 104 and service control point (SCP) 200 of an IN/CAMEL whenthe MS 100 is switched on. In order to understand these signals, it isfirst helpful to know a little more about the signaling structureitself.

[0051] The signaling structure of an IN may be broadly divided into twofunctional parts. The base which consists of signaling bearers, whichare functions for the transport of signaling information between networkelements, and signaling protocols which define how functions in networkelements cooperate creating network services. In GSM, the ISDN part(ISUP) and mobile application part (MAP) are used as protocols betweenMSCs.

[0052] In addition, there is a standard which is well known in the artfor the Base Station System Application Part (BSSAP) which defines thesignaling protocol between the MSC and BSC; the Base Station System GPRSProtocol(BSSGP) which defines the signaling protocol between the SGSNand BSC; and the Radio Access Network Application Protocol (RANAP) whichdefines the signaling protocol between the MSC/SGSN and RNC.Communication at this stage is in the form of BSSMAP/BSSGP/RANAP signalsin the BSSAP/BSSGP/RANAP protocol. Direct Transfer messages can beexchanged between the MS and CN node in relation to registration andauthentication as well as when the MS is switched off. These messagesare used also to convey mobility management, session management and callcontrol related messages.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 3 after turning on (Power Up) the MS 100is in idle mode and when a user wishes to initiate a call the MS firstestablishes a dedicated radio connection to the RAN 126.

[0054] After radio connection setup 300 the MS starts positioningprocedure 301 in order to get an estimate of it location. This is doneby means to LCS as described before (e.g. positioning measurements,position calculation using necessary assistance data provided bynetwork).

[0055] Then the MS initiates a service request procedure 302 to the corenetwork in order to create signaling connection to CN node and request acertain service. This might be for a normal call or for specialmessaging services (SMS) or general packet radio service (GPRS)connection. Based on subscriber's subscription profile CN node acceptsservice request if the subscriber is entitled to the requested service.After service request security procedures 303 like authentication andciphering control may occur between MS and CN node.

[0056] At this stage the MS has independently calculated its locationand sends details of its location along with the SETUP procedure 304 ofthe call (or SMS). In this way the CN node 104 is supplied with thelocation estimate at the beginning of the call setup procedure. Thelocation estimate is therefore immediately available for transfer fromthe CN node 104 to the SCP 200 in an appropriate detection point (DP) ofthe basic call state model.

[0057] After reception of SETUP message the serving CN node mayinitialize a control relationship 305 with the Service Control Point(SCP) depending on subscriber's subscription profile. The controlrelationship is started with sending an Initial Detection Point (DP)message to the SCP. This message contains a set of parameterscharacterizing the event, e.g. a call. Based on this information anservice/application residing in SCP can perform certain controloperations for the call, like charging activities or rerouting of acall. The CN node shall include location estimate of the calling MS inInitial DP message, thus also this information can be used as a basis ofcontrolling activities by the SCP.

[0058] After receiving control messages 306 from SCP the CN node shallcontinue the establishment of a call 307 towards the called party innormal way. Finally CN node informs the calling MS with CONNECT callcontrol message 308 that the call establishment has been completed, andthe call can proceed in active (conversation) state 309.

[0059] Since the MSC does not have to request a location estimate forthe MS after it receives the SETUP signal 304 the time in which it cansend/provide all the necessary information to the SCP 200 is reduced. Inthis way the location of the MS is available for the IN/CAMEL call statemodel in the beginning of the call in the CN node. The benefit of thisis that there is no extra delay because the CN node has the locationinformation without additional requests.

[0060]FIG. 4 illustrates a locating procedure according to a secondembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the generalprinciple is that the location of the MS is available for the IN/CAMELcall state model in the beginning of the call to the CN node as per thefirst embodiment. However, it is the Radio Access Network (RAN) 126which includes the BTS and BSC, which initiates the calculation of theMS position.

[0061] Initially, the MS 100 makes the radio connection setup 300 asdescribed above. Following this RAN shall start positioning procedure401 by requesting it from SMLC. In some cases SMLC functionality may becontained in RAN network element, i.e. BSC. In this case no explicitsignaling between BSC and SMLC occurs but the positioning procedure isdone internally by BSC, possibly with help of other RAN network elementslike LMUs. The positioning procedure can be done with any of theconventional positioning techniques mentioned above.

[0062] During the positioning procedure in RAN the service request 302and security procedures 303 (authentication, ciphering) can proceed asis known in the art.

[0063] Once the RAN has completed positioning procedure (i.e. the MSlocation has been calculated) the location estimate of the MS is sent tothe CN node in a Location Report message 402. This is a messagesubstantially containing only location information.

[0064] Once the SETUP procedure 403 has been carried out as describedhereinabove, the CN node can initiate a control relationship with theSCP like described in the first embodiment 306. In this way the CN nodeis supplied with the location estimate for the MS at the beginning ofthe call setup. The location estimate is therefore immediately availablefor transfer from the CN node 104 to the SCP 200 in an appropriatedetection point (DP) of the basic call state model. The IN/CAMEL callstate model is thus able to use the information without further delaythan would have been possible with prior art methods.

[0065]FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the present inventionwhich is an adaptation of the second and third embodiments. In thisfourth embodiment, the location of the MS is calculated in the SMLC 500and supplied to the CN node during a call setup phase, i.e. right beforeor after the SETUP message depending on how long positioning proceduretakes.

[0066] The MS first establishes a dedicated radio connection to the RAN.Then the MS initiates a service request procedure 501 to the corenetwork in order to create signaling connection to CN node and request acertain service.

[0067] When the CN node 104 receives the service request 501, the CNnode will decide whether or not it will attempt to locate the MS thathas requested the normal call (alternatively, this could be a requestfor SMS or GPRS). This decision will be based upon subscriber'ssubscription information stored in the CN node (i.e. VLR or SGSN). Inthis way a subscriber who has requested or perhaps paid for an improvedquality of service (QoS) can be provided with an enhanced service.

[0068] If the subscriber is associated with information which indicatesit needs the location information in the beginning of the call, the CNnode will send a Request positioning 502 signal to the SMLC 500. TheSMLC then initiates position and calculations to determine the MSlocation. During positioning procedure security procedures 503(authentication, control of ciphering) takes place as described above.

[0069] Whilst this occurs the SMLC would have calculated the location ofthe MS. This location can then be provided to the CN node 104 via asignal Positioning result 503. In this way the CN node is provided withthe location of the MS at the beginning of a call following the setup504 and initial DP 305 procedures as described above.

[0070] It is to be noted that, throughout the present invention, CAMELand IN designate any solution in which a call, connection or sessionprocessing node contacts a service control function which issuesinstructions to the respective node. The contact to the service controlfunction is based on, for example, a trigger information stored in therespective nodes or downloaded thereto from an external subscriberdatabase. The trigger information may specify situations in the courseof a call, connection or session handling. The service control functionmay be internally distributed. Furthermore, the corresponding INprotocol could be any protocol between a controlling entity, such as aservice control function (eg CAMEL CSE) responsive to triggering from acall, and a session or connection processing node. The IN protocol maybe, for example, an object oriented interface where the operations areobject methods or invocations. The IN protocol may also be a textmessage based protocol such as IETF session initiation protocol (SIP).

[0071] According to each of the above described embodiments thecalculated geographical location of the MS can be provided from the corenetwork node to the service control means along with at least onecommunication control related event.

[0072] In the circuit switched communication control case thecommunication control related events are the events reported from theMSC to the SCP at the IN basic call statemodel detection points. Thebasic call state models (BCSM) are an essential issue in IntelligentNetworks. The BCSMs contain the points of attachment to call processingfor the external control. A BCSM is a simplified model of the callhandling procedures within a digital exchange. The IN specificationshave grouped the call handling procedures to certain coarse phases.These phases are called Points In Call (PIC). When a phase eithersuccessfully finishes or aborts because of a specified reason, aDetection Point (DP) is encountered. The call set-up or releaseprocessing can be temporarily stopped in these detection points and theSCF may be requested for call handling instructions.

[0073] There are two kinds of detection points. An initial enquiry tothe SCF can be made in the Trigger Detection Points (TDP). This meansthat a service logic program in the SCF is provided with the set-upinformation of the call being handled. The service logic program makesdecisions according to the information provided. It may issue someinstructions to the exchange and after that either give permission tocontinue, perhaps with modified information, or request call clearing.

[0074] The service logic program may arm one or more detection pointsdynamically after it has been invoked in the initial enquiry. Thedetection points that can be armed dynamically are called EventDetection Points (EDP). A subsequent trigger detection point can also bearmed dynamically ie it can also be an event detection point. Dynamicarming means that the service logic program explicitly requests theexchange to report if it encounters any of the detection points. Thereport may either be a notification after which call processingcontinues directly or an enquiry in which call processing is frozen andinstructions from the service logic program are waited for.

[0075] There are detection points for call related events such as callset-up request received, dialing collection completed, number analyzed,call answered, called party busy etc.

[0076] In the case of GPRS connection control the events are, forexample, GPRS events that can be reported to a service control functionsuch as establishment of GPRS mobility management context, the opening,update and deletion of PDP contexts or various DPD context related timerexpiries, Packet related communication control events could also includethe reception and transmission of an individual user data packet.

[0077] It will be understood by those skilled in the art thatmodifications could be made to the above described example withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

1. A method for providing a location application of a communicationnetwork with location information indicating the geographical locationof a mobile station (MS), via a core network node serving the MS, saidmethod comprising the steps of; initiating a communication between theMS and the network by the steps of; calculating the geographicallocation; supplying corresponding location information indicating thegeographical location to the core network node; and subsequently routingthe communication between the MS anc the network.
 2. The method of claim1 wherein the step of initiating a call between the MS and network nodefurther comprises the steps of: communicating said location informationfrom said network node to service control means (SCP), and confirmingsaid communication responsive to instructions received from said servicecontrol means.
 3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the step ofcalculating the geographical location comprises the steps of: providingthe MS with an initiate positioning signal supplying the MS withlocating signals, from which the geographical location of the MS can becalculated; and responsive to the locating signals, via the MS,executing a location calculation to thereby calculate the geographicallocation.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of:supplying the corresponding location information to the core networknode during a normal call SETUP procedure between the MS and the corenetwork node.
 5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 furthercomprising the steps of: supplying the corresponding locationinformation to the core network node prior to an initial detection pointof call state model in which the control relationship shall beestablished between core network node and SCP.
 6. The method of claim 1or 2 wherein the step of calculating the geographical location comprisesthe steps of: providing a radio access network (RAN) serving thelocation of the MS with an initiate positioning signal; supplying theRAN with locating signals from which the geographical location of the MScan be calculated; and responsive to the locating signals, via the RAN,executing a location calculation to thereby calculate the geographicallocation.
 7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising the stepsof: supplying the corresponding location information to the core networknode prior to a normal call SETUP procedure between the MS and corenetwork node.
 8. A method according to claim 6 further comprising thesteps of: supplying the corresponding location information to the corenetwork node with a Positioning result signal.
 9. A method according toclaim 6 further comprising the steps of, after a BSSMAP complete L3signal; supplying the corresponding location information to the corenetwork node with a dedicated Location report signal including onlylocation information.
 10. A method according to claim 6 furthercomprising the steps of: In the core network node, identifying apositioning indicator associated with the subscriber; responsive to theindicator sending a request positioning signal from the core networknode to the SMLC; and subsequently calculating the geographicallocation.
 11. A method according to any proceeding claim whereby thegeographical location is calculated via a time of arrival positionmechanism.
 12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherebythe geographical location is calculated via an enhanced observed timedifference position mechanism.
 13. A method according to any one ofclaims 1 to 10 whereby the geographical location is calculated via aglobal positioning system position mechanism.
 14. A method according toany one of claims 1 to 10 in which the call is a normal audio calland/or short message service call and/or general packet radio servicecall.
 15. The method of any preceding claim in which said communicationcomprises a call between the MS and the network.
 16. The method of anypreceding claim in which the communication network is an intelligenttelecommunication network (IN).
 17. The method of any preceding claim inwhich said network node is a switching centre.
 18. A method forproviding a location application of a communication network withlocation information indicating the geographical location of a mobilestation (MS), via a core network node serving the MS, said methodcomprising the steps of; initiating a communication between the MS andthe network; calculating the geographical location; supplyingcorresponding location information indicating the geographical locationto the core network node; and providing the said geographical locationfrom the core network node to a service control means in associationwith at least one communication control related event.
 19. A corenetwork node for controlling communication between the MS and thenetwork, said core network node comprising: a) communicationestablishment and control means b) communication related event reportingmeans towards at least one service control means c) location receivingmeans for receiving the location information indicating the geographicallocation of a mobile station (MS) d) reporting means for reporting thesaid geographical location in association with at least onecommunication control related event.
 20. A service control node forreceiving communication related event reports from at least one corenetwork node, said service control node comprising: a) a receiving meansfor receiving the location information indicating the geographicallocation of a mobile station (MS) in association with at least onecommunication related event associated with said MS.
 21. A methodarranged substantially as herein described, with reference to and asillustrated in the accompanying drawings.